The German Environment Agency's (UBA) Environmental Monitor 2024 once again presents a mixed picture of the state of the environment in Germany. While there have been successes in terms of greenhouse gas emissions and air pollutants, many indicators show a clear need for action. read more
Air
Blue Angel for wood-burning stoves: Dust precipitators can reduce ultrafine particles by 97 percent
The Hesse State Agency for Nature Conservation, Environment and Geology (HLNUG) investigated the emission of ultrafine particles (UFP) and the effectiveness of electrostatic precipitators to reduce fine dust emissions from a wood-burning stove. read more
Detailed greenhouse gas emissions figures for 2022: Emissions fell by 40 per cent compared to 1990 – EU climate protection targets met
A total of around 750 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalent was emitted in Germany in 2022. This is 9.6 million tonnes or 1.3 per cent less than in 2021 and 40 per cent less than in 1990. read more
Scrubber discharge bans would protect oceans
The German Environment Agency has commissioned a project to study the effects of discharge water from exhaust gas cleaning systems (scrubbers) of ships on the marine environment. Scrubber discharge contains pollutants such as heavy metals and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, which are classified as extremely hazardous. Discharge bans - at least regional - are recommended. read more
Germany complied with air quality limit values nearly everywhere in 2022
Germany recorded no exceedances of particulate matter threshold values in 2022 for the fifth consecutive year. Current data shows that the annual mean limit for nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) of 40 µg/m³ was exceeded at only two roadside measuring stations in Munich and Essen. These are the results of a preliminary evaluation of data collected by the federal states and the German Environment Agency. read more
Ecosystems more sensitive to nitrogen pollution than previously assumed - Study
Ecosystems such as forests, heaths and surface waters are more sensitive to atmospheric nitrogen pollution than previously thought, according to a report under the Geneva Air Convention of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (CCE). read more
Germany complies with air quality limit values nearly everywhere in 2021
Germany again had no exceedances of the particulate matter limit values in 2021. The 40 µg/m³ annual mean limit value for nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) is estimated to be exceeded at only one to two percent of the measuring stations close to traffic. More action necessary to protect health. read more
Final data on nitrogen dioxide pollution 2020: downward trend continues
The 2020 data for nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) are available for all air monitoring stations in Germany. Six cities exceeded the air quality limit of 40 micrograms NO₂ per cubic metre of air (µg/m³) as an annual average. read more